. A World of Rings and Stars
The dimensional jump, accidentally triggered by Megumin's Explosion, was faster and more violent than the last. The Solitary Ray disintegrated in the void, forcing Kaguya to use her last resort: a Dimensional Ki force field that barely contained the team.
They appeared on a high plateau, covered in dense bamboo forests. The air was thick with an energy that Kaguya immediately began to analyze.
—Environmental analysis: The primary energy is neither Mana nor Ki, but a hybrid. They call it Spiritual Power. And I detect energy signatures in the form of rings and spirit beasts. We are in a world of Spirit Masters—Kaguya reported, adjusting her helmet.
Goku, feeling the dense energy, stretched with enthusiasm. —This place feels great! It's like every person has a small but very well-controlled Ki! I'm going to look for some food and maybe a little training!
Tatsumaki, catching her breath, felt the weakness of the new ambient Mana and became annoyed. —My psychic power feels muffled. Too... "spiritual." It makes me feel bored.
—I smell a target!—shouted Megumin, who was already on her feet, full of energy, pointing her staff toward an imposing complex of buildings and towers rising in the distance. —That is the point with the highest concentration of energy. It must be the perfect place for my next Explosion!
—Hold on, Megumin—ordered Erza, reequipping her Emperor Armor. —That structure radiates immense authority. If the Anchor is there, it is most likely guarded by the strongest masters.
Kaguya nodded. —Correct. The Dimensional Ki signature is anchored in the tallest tower of that structure. Complex identification: The Spirit Hall (Wuhun Hall).
II. The Encounter with the Popess
The team approached the outskirts of the Spirit Hall citadel. As they flew low over a training field, an imposing figure detected them.
It was Bibi Dong, the Popess of the Spirit Hall. She was at the top of an observation tower, supervising the practice of her Spirit Guards. Her aura was powerful and cold, her two hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings shone with a terrifying purple, and her expression, usually one of calculated calm, was one of severity.
Seeing the unknown energy signatures (Ki, Magic, Psychic) approaching, Bibi Dong prepared to disintegrate the intruders. However, her gaze stopped on Goku.
Goku, in his orange suit, landed first. He stretched and looked directly at the Popess.
—Hi! What a big place! Do you know where I can find a good bowl of ramen around here? I'm so hungry!
In that instant, something broke in the formidable Bibi Dong. It wasn't just Goku's pure, innocent Ki that struck her, but his open smile and absolute lack of malice. The heart of the continent's most powerful and feared woman accelerated. Her killing aura vanished.
—He...—she murmured, her voice trembling for the first time in years—. He is... pure. So strong, so naive... He is perfection made man!
Her guards looked at her, confused.
Bibi Dong immediately composed herself, her severity replaced by intense concentration, but this time, not on battle, but on courtship.
—Stop the training! Let no one approach our... guest!—she ordered in an unusually melodious voice. Then, she floated gracefully toward the bamboo plateau where the team was.
III. A Declaration of Love and Destruction
Goku scratched his head. —Oh, cool! It looks like she can fly! You're really strong!
Bibi Dong landed in front of him, the most feared Popess on the continent, and her eyes only shone for Goku.
—I am Bibi Dong. I have sensed your... your arrival—she said, struggling to sound authoritative as her heart pounded with excitement—. You are... different. Unique. I have never seen a power like yours, nor a light so... celestial.
—Thanks, I guess. I'm Goku. And do you know if there's a restaurant nearby?—Goku asked, oblivious to the torrent of affection he was causing.
—Yes! My hall has the best banquets! But first...—Bibi Dong extended her hand toward Goku, with a surprisingly youthful dignity—. I have decided. I will marry you. You will become the Martial Saint of the Spirit Hall by my side. And together, we will conquer the continent and rule all the dimensions you can visit!
The team was petrified.
—Marry?!—shouted Goku, stepping back—. But I'm already married and I've only been here for twenty minutes!
Tatsumaki and Megumin, on the other hand, saw this as an excuse for a new dispute.
—Hmph! The cult leader fell for the idiot! And her power is so insignificant that she has to use a magic ring!—Tatsumaki scoffed.
Bibi Dong turned toward Tatsumaki with a cold flash, ready to unleash the power of her Death Spider Soul.
Megumin wasted no time. She raised her staff, looking at the main tower where Kaguya had said the Anchor was. —Her soul ring will be overshadowed by the glory of the Explosion! I can't marry Goku, but I can honor our journey with the greatest destruction possible! EXPLOSIOOOOON!!!
IV. Martial Chaos and Romantic Confusion
Megumin's crimson energy launched toward the tower. Bibi Dong, horrified that her future husband and his entourage were about to destroy her base, immediately unleashed her two hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings, creating a Death Emperor Spider shield.
The impact of the Explosion was catastrophic. Bibi Dong's shield barely resisted the destructive force of pure magic, and although the tower was not annihilated, the impact sent an immense energy pulse throughout the complex.
Kaguya, taking advantage of the chaos, detected that the Dimensional Anchor, weakened by the attack, was vibrating.
—The Anchor is about to open! Bibi Dong's energy in defending herself has overloaded it! Goku, Erza, to the portal!
Bibi Dong, with her hair disheveled and her robe smoking, forgot the battle and ran toward Goku.
—Goku, darling! It doesn't matter if you destroy my Spirit Hall! Just accept my love!
Goku, seeing the opportunity to escape and having caused his share of trouble, laughed, and placed two fingers on his forehead.
—Sorry, Bibi Dong! I have to go! It was fun meeting you!
—No, wait! Don't leave me!—Bibi Dong cried out.
Goku used Instant Transmission. In the blink of an eye, the entire team was at the top of the main tower, entering the portal that had opened over Popess Bibi Dong and her unrequited love.
Bibi Dong fell to her knees, her heart broken, just as her troops arrived, terrified by the destruction.
—Find him! No matter the cost! I want that man in orange by my side!—she shouted, her love now transformed into total obsession.
The team was gone, leaving behind a damaged Spirit Hall and the most powerful woman on the continent, infatuated with the dimensional warrior who just wanted ramen.
End of the Tenth Act.